Most of them — guys like catcher Matt McBride, right-handed pitcher Chris Martin and outfielder Jason Pridie — are known only to hardcore baseball fans. Some of them have spent a little time in the majors, some of them none at all. Some of them will never make it to the show.

That doesn’t diminish the players’ immense talents. Every time I come to spring training and watch the players take infield and hit in the batting cages, I realize how special a player must be just to get invited to a big-league camp.

Which brings me to a terrific book I’ve been reading by best-selling sports writer John Feinstein, author of the classics “A Good Walk Spoiled” and “A Season on the Brink.”

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.